East Austin’s African American Cycling Project Launches Just in Time for Spring

April 1, 2014

DDCE Fellow Dr. Talia McCray Leads Effort

On Saturday, April 5 the Austin community is invited to participate in East Austin’s African American Cycling Project. Prompted by the urgent need to address health discrepancies in part of the Austin community, DDCE fellow Dr. Talia McCray created the Cycling in the African American Community Project with hopes to draw and excite community members to get active. The project aims to do more than just encourage active lifestyles through bike recreation, but to carry the conversation to enhance neighborhood quality of life and engage the African American community. In addition to biking initiatives and efforts, the project hopes to encourage the development of more bike friendly trails in the East Austin area.

Dr. McCray’s expertise in urban technological and environmental planning and passion for understanding urban communities, social patterns and resource access has provided great vision and energy for the project. The University of Texas at Austin professor believes that Austin’s underserved African American population is the perfect candidate for an accessibility study that addresses the health and activity patterns of residents in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods.

Saturday’s event will introduce many to the sport of cycling as well as curate a conversation around the history of cycling in the African American community. The day will include bike riding sessions for beginner riders, as well as free family-friendly games and prizes.